Why the turbine Lotus experiment failed to realise its potential in F1
Emerson Fittipaldi hated it in period – but, as DAMIEN SMITH reveals, now thinks Hethel’s daring turbine-powered, IndyCar-derived experiment, the Lotus 56B, could have been a grand prix winner. Here's why that potential never came close to being realised in grand prix racing
All in all, 1971 was a strange year for Team Lotus. It should have been all champagne and silverware given its potent cocktail: the great Lotus 72, not only arguably Colin Chapman’s greatest Formula 1 car but a contender for the best from anyone, ever; young, ambitious Emerson Fittipaldi, already a winner following his astounding maiden-season breakthrough at just the fourth time of asking at Watkins Glen, 1970; financial security through its continuing (gaudy) support from Gold Leaf tobacco.
Yet instead, the result was the first winless season for Lotus since 1959. So was this car, the whooshing turbine-powered Lotus 56B, to blame for the alarming and unexpected drought? No, that’s too trite.
Share Or Save This Story
The detail focus that will make Audi’s Red Bull hire a hit team boss
The Russell traits that will ease his adaption to becoming Mercedes team leader
Can Alpine’s latest regime change shift its course?
Why long Sainz courtship was only one factor in eventual Williams union
How F1’s tech war has transformed in 2024
How F1 teams evolved the humble spring
The statistical F1 anomaly Verstappen will seek to remedy in Singapore
F1 uncovered: A weekend behind the scenes with a team physio
Alex Bowman disqualified, eliminated from NASCAR playoffs at the Roval
From a 'destroyed' car to the Round of 8: How Reddick survived the Roval
Kyle Larson wins Charlotte Roval while teammate Bowman is DQ'ed
After a "chaotic week", Chase Briscoe faces Roval must-win
The detail focus that will make Audi’s Red Bull hire a hit team boss
The Russell traits that will ease his adaption to becoming Mercedes team leader
The multi-faceted improvements that have allowed McLaren to challenge Red Bull
The one thing McLaren must leave behind for the title run-in
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
